The Principia College Solar Car Team began in 1991 as a non-credit engineering
project for an advanced physics class. In 1995 the team finished its first car,
Ra, made of steel and fiberglass and powered by a belt-driven motor. This car
did not qualify for Sunrayce 95 and instead served as an exhibition vehicle.
Principia returned with a new car, Ra II, for Sunrayce 97 and finished 31st of
40 teams. Then, in the rain-plagued Sunrayce 99, Ra III finished 26th. In both
Sunrayce 97 and 99 the team received the Safety Award for best overall safety
performance, and in 1999 the team was also recognized for outstanding teamwork
and sportsmanship.

Two years later, RA IV outshone its predecessors by placing 1st both in the open
class and overall at the 2001 Formula Sun Grand Prix in Michigan. This
achievement afforded the team nationwide news coverage from both CNN and the
National Geographic Channel and led the team into the 2001 American Solar
Challenge, where Ra IV captured 7th place and the Sportsmanship Award. This
final standing placed the team ahead of many large engineering schools such as
MIT and Stanford. Ra IV also placed 4th in the 2002 Formula Sun Grand Prix in
Kansas.

Due to the team’s outstanding performance in the American Solar Challenge
combined with the receipt of an Engineering Excellence award from EDS,
manufacturer of the Unigraphics computer-aided design software program,
Principia was asked to serve as one of the two solar car teams to represent the
United States in the China Solar Challenge and Road Show. Four students along
with two faculty members traveled through China for three weeks during August
2002, demonstrating solar technology and sharing technical expertise.

Principia’s next solar car, Ra V, expanded on the legacy of Ra IV as the team
raced to a 4th place finish in the 2003 American Solar Challenge and earned the
Teamwork Award. After finishing the race in Los Angeles, Ra V was shipped across
the Pacific Ocean to Australia where Principia competed for the first time in
the World Solar Challenge and placed 6th. This 1,800-mile race across the
Outback from Darwin to Adelaide was part of a ten-week Australian Science Abroad
sponsored by the college. The next spring, the team was invited to represent the
United States in Phaethon 2004. This solar car race was part of the Cultural
Olympiad for the Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The team performed very
well, earning 3rd place and bringing home that year’s first “Olympic” medal for
the United States.

Ra 6 was a culmination of new ideas and past successes, resulting in a sleek and
solid design; she was lighter and more technologically advanced than any of the
team’s previous solar cars. This was accomplished by combining aircraft
composite construction with satellite grade solar cells and solid
lithium-polymer batteries – all based on an ultra-light aluminum space frame
chassis. She proved her worth in the 2005 North American Solar Challenge, when
she raced from Austin, Texas to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Although the car had
no prior road experience, the team finished the 2.500-mile race in 7th place,
ahead of some of the continents’ finest engineering schools. Ra 6 completed the
race without a single breakdown on the side of the road or a single flat tire—a
tribute to her mechanical and structural integrity. Principia was also commended
for the team’s dedication to safety and teamwork within the competitive
atmosphere. In addition, Principia-supporter Steve Warren recorded the team’s
progress throughout the race and compiled Racing with the Sun, a video
documentary of the team and its race experience.

In September 2006, Principia headed overseas to Taiwan to participate in the
World Solar Rally. Ra 6 placed 5th in a track race and 7th in the road race
portion of the rally. Team members enjoyed the pleasure of interacting with
other race teams from all over the world, including teams from Taiwan, Japan,
Germany, Iran, and Turkey.

Principia’s newest car, Ra 7, is unlike any of our previous cars in both her
design and construction. A change in race regulations forced team members to
think creatively and overcome challenging design obstacles; these regulations
included an upright seating position (27 degrees or higher) for the driver and a
significantly reduced array area. To meet the new requirements, the team
explored new fabrication techniques for the body and upgraded the electrical
system.

NASC 2008, Ra 7’s first race, was a huge success! The Principia team came in
second place, close on the heels of the University of Michigan. In addition to
the Safety Award, Principia was honored with a Technical Excellence Award for
having the most efficient solar array in the competition.

Most recently, the team has received permission to participate in the World
Solar Challenge in Australia in the fall of 2009. Now, as we embark on our
newest adventure, WSC 2009, we look forward to continuing Principia’s legacy of
outstanding safety, teamwork, and sportsmanship. After racing on four
continents, we look forward to what the future holds! Please stay with us as we
continue on our journey with the rising sun.